Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Classic Pencil Skirt with Vent

This weekend I finished the pencil skirt with a vent, inspired by the Cupcake Goddess's tutorials which instruct how to put a vent plus lining into a pencil skirt.

Most skirt patterns include a vent, but the patterns don't call for a lining (isn't that obnoxious on the part of the Big 4 patterns? Obviously, if the pattern suggests wool, it must be lined in most cases.) If you've never lined a skirt with a vent before, it does take some mental work to figure out how to do it.

My skirt was different from the tutorial's model - the Burda Jenny - as McCall's 3830 does not have a waistband. These are the slightly different steps I took to construct the skirt:

I inserted the invisible zipper into the fashion fabric.

Attached the fashion fabric and lining at the waistband.

Finished the bottom of the vent from the inside.

That method was suggested by Connie Long in her Easy Guide to Sewing Linings (partly accessible on Google Books). Putting the vent's right sides together inside the skirt, I took a guess at what vent seams should be sewn together, and it worked.

As you can see, it was difficult to get the puzzle piece part of the lining to ease in, so that part doesn't look very pretty either, and the edge is pulling up a bit. Hopefully I can perfect that in future versions.

I'm so pleased with how this skirt turned out. I've started taking more time and care on my projects - serging the fashion fabric, pinking lining edges, sewing all possible seams in the same direction - and the results have been more satisfying to me.

* * *

I'm suddenly in a skirt mood, so I have a few in the immediate queue. Though I ordered a vintage dress pattern, and it's calling my name, too. There just aren't enough hours in the day!

24 comments:

That's the answer, right there! Now that you know the answer to the question...I think you should go for it! This skirt is a great beginning and you will see that as you make each one, you will gain more confidence with your skills. I'm looking forward to encouraging you on this journey. You are doing fantastic...wear your skirt with pride!

It looks great! Inside and out! I am working on a simple skirt (no vent) out of tweed with no lining in the pattern. I am trying to line it myself, but I have no experience. I have taken note of your resource tips. Thanks!

You have done a wonderful job with this beautiful classic skirt. It's a great fit, I think it is pegged just right and it hangs perfectly. I am glad that you found Connie Long's guidance useful - her book is one of my very favourite resources. Looking forward to seeing more skirts from you......

Great job and timely reading on my part. I have a dress pattern that the skirt part has a vent. I am never ever able to make the vent lining like RTW. And the sad thing is that I have Connie Long's book that I have used for numerous lining projects but have not used it for skirts???? Your skirt looks great!

Oh its just gorgeous! The fabric you chose is just exquisite and I'm so glad you braved the vent tutorials! I think they really paid off and the professional result is just fabulous! What a lovely lovely addition to your wardrobe.

What a lovely vent! I've always cheated on my vent linings and just cut a big upside down oval out of the lining so it won't flash through the vent and left it at that. Perhaps I should try something a little classier...

I've wanted to make the Spanish Snap buttonhole since I first got the book Couture, the Art of Fine Sewing by Roberta Carr. The reason I wanted to try them is they are similar to the bound ones, they have really tiny lips though. AND ARE SO MUCH EASIER AND QUICKER,but yield a pretty professional result. Carr says they are also referred to as Invisible Bound buttonholes. Do you have her book?